While speaking with my plumber, I was surprised to learn about one of the most common sources of water damage in a home. I assumed it would be around the plumbing in the bathrooms or kitchen, but it turns out that it’s more likely to be from the washing machine.
Washing machine failures occur regularly from holes in a machine hose. Depending on the size of the hole, gallons upon gallons of water can be pumped into the home. Since washers are increasingly moved out of basements and up into the living areas, a leak could lead to thousands of dollars of damage.
There are a few ways to prevent or mitigate the potential damage:
- Regularly inspect and replace old worn-out rubber hoses.
Most hoses weren’t designed to last more than 15 years, and depending on usage, it may be less. New hoses should be connected any time a new machine is installed. It’s a good idea to spend a little bit more money to get hoses that have braided reinforced-steel protecting the rubber.
- Another way to mitigate damage is to install water leak alarms. These alarms are placed on the floor near washing machines, hot water heaters, or any area of potential flooding. The alarm sounds if it senses water on the floor, alerting you so you can remedy the situation before there’s extensive damage.
Water leaks can lead to expensive repairs — damaged floors and carpets, drywall, and mold growth. Taking some of these highlighted steps will hopefully help you reduce some of your water related problems.